Improvement in clasps for



UNITED STATES `PATENT l OFFICE.

.. n ORSAMUS K. SOOFIELD, OF ST. JOS yPH, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,940, dated November 6, 1877; application filed September 15, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORsAuUs K. ScoErELD, of St. Joseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Clasps for Corsets of a face view of this invention. Fig. 2 isa sectional view of the same, and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are details of the parts, in perspective.

This invention has relation to clasps for corsets and other articles requiring such fastenings; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the spring-catch and its opposite bearing, andthe guarded lug or beveled projecting catch-block, designed to operaten connection therewith, as hereinafter shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the corset-steels to which this invention is represented as being applied. B indicates an angular spring-catch, which is securely riveted to one of the corset-steels, as shown. C Irepresents the pressure-piece or bearing, which is riveted to the opposite or under side of the same corset-steel,the same rivets being employed to fasten both the spring-catchv and its bearing, which form a pair of jaws. D is the beveled catch block or lug, which lis secured by suitable rivets or otherwise to the other corset-steel, in such manner as to engage with the spring-catch and 'bearing when the two steels are brought together to be fastened. Its beveled face a terminates ina shoulder, b, against which the spring-catch bears, when the lug is pressed between the bearing C and said catch, the

spring sliding readily over the' beveled portion, and its angular portion c dropping behind the shoulder of the lug and forming a lug.

The bearing C servesv to hold the springcatch and the lug together in the locked position when engaged, and constitutes, in conjunction with the spring-catch, a lateral support for the corset-steels.

On each side of the catch block or lug are located the guards or fenders E, which serve to guide the spring-catch over the beveled face of the lug, and also to hold the steels and prevent them from slipping past each other vertically.

A lug, el, is usually formed as a part ofl Sometimes the bearing-piece C, which formsapart of the clasp, may be made entire with ythe steel or body piece A, So the block D may be made entire with the steel or body part of the other side, if thought desirable.

The construction may sometimes be varied by slotting the spring to receive the catchblock or a projection thereof; or the spring may have lateral offsets to engage with lateral catch-studs.Y I do not, therefore, desire to be' confined to the precise con struction shown and described, and in some cases I may dispense with the bearing-lug d and its corresponding indentation in the pressure-piece. y

What I claim `,as my invention, and de sire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

'lhe fastening-clasp, consisting of the beveled and shouldered catch block or blocks, and the spring-catch and pressure-piece opposite said catch, and forming therewith a pair of jaws, between which the catch block or blocks are received'and pressed into engagement with. said catch, substantially as speciiied.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribedmy name in the presence f of two witnesses.

ORSAMUS KINGSLEY SOOFIELD.

Witnesses WILLLAM H. FENYAN, H. MONTGOMERY. 

